NIAMEY, Niger — General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger’s head of state, returned to Niamey on Thursday night after a weeks-long nationwide tour, greeted by thousands of supporters lining the route from the airport to the presidential palace.
Activists and citizens described the homecoming as a moment of pride. “The message we were waiting for was to stand united and build the country together,” said activist Zakari Bizo, calling the president’s return “a source of great joy and pleasure.”
Tour Across the Nation
For more than a decade, Niger has faced terrorism in nearly every region. During his tour, Tchiani urged citizens to remain resilient and called on the military to stay vigilant against armed groups.
The trip was seen as both an effort to reassure the population and to reinforce his authority, more than two years after the coup that ousted former president Mohamed Bazoum.
Supporters praised Tchiani’s outreach. Activist Dr. Iro Tanimoun, who greeted him at Resistance Square, said: “He has travelled to every corner of this country, from the most remote areas of Téra to Assamaka, from Gaya to Diffa. That is something to be proud of.”
Key Issues Addressed
Throughout the tour, Tchiani discussed challenges in security, the economy, health, and agricultural production, emphasizing the need for collective sacrifice and national unity.